Candle tipping machine



Patented Feb. 4, 1947 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE CANDLE TIPPING. MACHINE Ernest F. Pinney, Glen Cove, N. Y., assignor t Socony-Vacuum Oil Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y, a corporation of New York Application September 26, 1945, Serial No. 618,769

4 Claims. 1

This invention is concerned with a machine for use in the finishing of extruded candles manufactured according to the process set forth in my copending application Serial No. 618,767. That process provides for the extrusion of an endless candle rod Containing a wick centrally placed, which rod after suitable cooling and hardening, is severed into candle lengths, as by the machine described in my copending application Serial No. 618,770 with or without further treatment in a severing machine described in my copending application Serial No. 618,768.

The result of severing the candle rod into lengths is a candle with an embedded wick which does not protrude from the end of the candle. Of course, it is possible to utilize such candles by picking up a small portion of the wick and lighting it but in general, this procedure is unsatisfactory and it is better to provide a free portion of wick. The machine with which this invention is concerned, is designed to accomplish this purpose and accomplishes it by severing a short length of wax from one end of the candle while leaving the wick intact, the net result being a candle with a protruded wick of a desired length, usually about A" to about /2".

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the drawings attached to this specification showing the machine and certain details of its construction. In these drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical view of the tipping machine. Figure 2 is a view, partially in section from the side of the machine. Figure 3 is a similar side view taken upon a section plane somewhat deeper in the machine. 7 Figure 4 is a sectional view taken transversely of the length of the machine. Figure 5 is a detail of the tipping knives. Figure 6 shows how the knives tip the candle and Figure 7 shows a finished candle.

Turning now to the drawings and reading Figures 1, 2 and 3 together, we find that the machine consists of an endless moving belt H) supported upon two pulleys H and I2, which pulleys are driven through a belt drive system from a motor I3 in such fashion that the belt advances in the direction of right to left across the drawings. Severed candle rods M are delivered upon this belt at its right hand end from the mechanism in which they are prepared and are held in position upon that belt by curb plates l5 and it. As these candle pieces pass forward upon the belt they come under a series of spring pressed finger plates I1, the tension of the springs of which is adjusted to hold the candle in position on the belt and at the same time to cause them to rotate in a clockwise direction as the belt advances to the left. Arranged adjacent one side of the belt in a position so that they engage the short candle rod at a predetermined distance of about A" to /2" from its end are two knives l8 and ill which serve to sever the end of the candle in a manner later described, the portions so severed falling into and being collected by a tray 20.

Turning to Figure 4 in which a transverse section of the tipping machine is shown, we find a more clear detail showing the belt ill, 'a pulley l I, a candle rod 14, curb plates l5 and It, a spring pressed finger board l1, and knives l8 and IS. From this drawing it is clear how the device is arranged so that the knive engage candles a short distance from one end, while the candle is held in position by curb plates 15 and 16. Returning to Figure 1, it will be noted that the curb plate I6 is terminated some distance short of the ends of the knives. Also shown in Figure 4 is a detail showing how the knives may be heated, since heating of the knives is usually preferred in order to give them capability to effect a clean and free cut. The method of heating shown in this figure consists of a steam manifold 2| from which pipes 22 and 23 lead to small steam jacket spaces 24 and 25 arranged longitudinally of knives l8 and IS. The transfer of heatfrom the steam in said jacket serves to keep the knives warm. If desired, an arrangement of electrical strip heaters may be used for the same purpose.

Turning to Figure 5, a more clear idea of the arrangement and method of functioning of the knives l8 and I9 is shown. As the candle rods It entering from the left and rotating clockwise meet the knives, these knives are tapered gradually toward the left so that by the time the candle-rod leaves at the left hand end, the wax of the candle has been substantially completely severed without severing the centrally located wick, Figure 6 showing the final positioning of the knives in greater detail. Due to the wedging action of the knives, the severed portion of wax designated as 26 in Figure 6 is forced oif the wick, falling into the tray at 20 in Figure 2 and the candle leaves the machine in substantially the form shown in Figure 7.

I claim:

1. A candle tipping machine for treating candles severed from a longer candle rod and not having an exposed wick which comprises an endless belt travelling about two pulleys to form an advancing work table a curb plate and pressure means to hold the candles in transversely fixed position upon said belt while advancing therewith, a pair of tapering knife means so disposed as to permit entry of the candle thereto and exit therefrom while cutting the candle without cutting the centrally disposed wick, said knives being so mounted with respect to said belt as to engage the candles at a short distance from one end.

'2. A candle tipping machine for treating candles severed from a longer candle rod and not having an exposed wick which comprises an endless belt travelling about two pulleys-to form an advancing work table, a curb plate and pressure means to hold the candles in transversely fixed position upon said belt while advancing therewith, a pair of tapering knife means so disposed as to permit entry of the candle thereto and exit therefrom while cutting the candle without cutting the centrally disposed Wick, said knives being so mounted with respect to said belt as to engage the candles at a short distance from one end and means for keeping said knives heated.

3. A candle tipping machine comprising an endless belt travelling over two pulleys to form an advancing work table upon which short candie rods, positioned transversely of said belt are advanced, a curb plate mounted adjacent said belt to engage the butts of said candle rods and hold them in proper transverse position on said belt, a gang of spring pressed fingers above said belt in spaced relation therefrom to hold the candle rods in position on said belt and compel rotation of the candle-rod as it advances therewith, adjacent said belt and opposite said curb plate a pair of knives longitudinally disposed parallel to said belt, said knives being spaced apart at their entry end to accept a candle-rod therebetween, approaching at their exit end to sever the candle without severing a wick centrally disposed therein and so spaced from said curb plate as to sever only a short portion from the end of the candle rod and thereby expose a short length of wick.

4. A candle tipping machine comprising an endless belt travelling over two pulleys to form an advancing work table upon which short candle rods, positioned transversely of said belt are advanced, a curb plate mounted adjacent said belt to engage the butts of said candle rods and hold them in proper transverse position on said belt, a gang of spring pressed fingers above said belt in spaced relation therefrom to hold the candle rods in position on said belt and compel rotation of the candle-rod as it advances therewith, adjacent said belt and opposite said curb plate a pair of heated knives longitudinally disposed parallel to said belt, said knives being spaced apart at their entry end to accept a candle-rod therebetween, approaching at their exit end to sever the candle without severing a wick centrally disposed therein, and so spaced from said curb plate as to sever only a short portion from the end of the candle-rod and thereby expose a short length of wick.

ERNEST F. PINNEY. 

